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As the main passenger rail service in the continental United States, Amtrak passes through miles of the most picturesque countryside the nation has to offer. From dramatic canyons and river valleys to rugged beaches and forested slopes, a ride on Amtrak allows you to get up close and personal with the American landscape. The pace may be slow compared to air travel, but that just means the journey, not the destination, becomes the focus.

California Zephyr

The California Zephyr spans seven states as it runs from Chicago to Emeryville, California, on the coast of the San Francisco Bay. Along the way it crosses the Continental Divide, passes through 29 tunnels in the Rocky Mountains alone, traverses numerous switchbacks and finally peaks at 9,000 feet above sea level. On the way down, you'll get to gaze at the Colorado River Valley, its churning waters and colorful rock formations. Then it's across Utah and the Nevada desert, through the storied Donner Pass and the Sierra Nevadas until you reach the Pacific Coast. Plan for at least a day and a half's worth of travel.

Amtrak Cascades

Twelve hours on the train from Eugene, Oregon, to Vancouver, British Columbia, gives you plenty of time to take in the grandeur of the Cascade Mountains, which give this route its name. You'll pass by mist-shrouded Mount Rainier near the beginning of your travels and Mount Baker near the end; as you hug the Pacific Coast, the waters of Puget Sound are available for contemplation, where you might see boats of all sorts as well as, just possibly, a whale or two. Bring binoculars if you want a chance to really get a glimpse of some of the wildlife hosted by this rugged landscape. But it's not all rural splendor; the Cascades route takes you through Seattle and Portland as well.

The Coast Starlight

Head the other direction, from Seattle to Los Angeles, on the Coast Starlight. Plan on two full days to enjoy this Pacific Coast journey. You'll pass Mount Rainier and through 22 tunnels in the Cascade Mountains before traveling through California's gold country. As you near Los Angeles, the train hugs the coast, so you'll have hours to admire the vast expanses of the Pacific before pulling into the City of Angels.

The Adirondack

Not all of the picturesque Amtrak routes are found on the West Coast. The Adirondack runs from New York City north to Montreal, a journey that takes less than a day. On the way it follows the lushly wooded Hudson River Valley, then hugs the coast of Lake Champlain. You'll pass the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the medieval-style Bannerman's Castle and Ticonderoga Fort, the indelible markers of early American history. Finally, Montreal itself, with its French-style charms, waits at the end of the line.

Southwest Chief

The Southwest Chief route starts in Los Angeles and ends in Chicago, a journey of more than 2,000 miles, following the Santa Fe Trail. First you'll pass through the Mojave Desert, and soon you'll be within sight of the country's most famous geographic landmark, the Grand Canyon. You'll have hours to ponder the severe beauty of the Southwest desert before passing through the New Mexico mountains and their dramatic red cliffs into the picturesque prairies of the central portion of the country, dotted with small farming towns. Finally, nearly four days later, you'll roll into Chicago's Union Station in the heart of downtown.

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About the Author

Lori A. Selke has been a professional writer and editor for more than 15 years, touching on topics ranging from LGBT issues to sexuality and sexual health, parenting, alternative health, travel, and food and cooking. Her work has appeared in Curve Magazine, Girlfriends, Libido, The Children's Advocate, Decider.com, The SF Weekly, EthicalFoods.com and GoMag.com.

Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

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